In
the early 1980s a medical mystery was happening in the United States
of America. An increasing number of young men were dying of fairly
common infections that had usually responded to antibiotics, but did
not in these patients. As the numbers grew, the American medical detectives
discovered that all of the men had a substantial deficiency in their
natural disease-fighting ability. None had shown any signs of this
in previous medical examinations, it had occurred for no apparent
reason and was a disease in itself, a strange disease that allowed
the body to be attacked by virtually any virus. The medical profession
knew that something external had caused this condition and so it was
labeled Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
The next step was to attempt to discover what virus was causing this.
Careful study located a minute virus that was named Human Immunodeficiency
Virus (HIV). The HIV virus in the blood progressively killed those
cells that normally fight other viruses.
Once this virus had been isolated, investigation turned to how it
was passed from person to person. A clue was that virtually every
early sufferer had been homosexual, so it was concluded, correctly,
that men engaging in anal sex could pass the virus on. When this became
general knowledge, more
than one religious zealot claimed it was a punishment by
God, intended to wipe out sinning homosexuals. Then, as now,
there was no known cure. Increasing knowledge discovered that it could
take up to ten years for HIV to develop into the fatal AIDS.
In the United States, especially in areas such as New York and San
Francisco, centers with high numbers of homosexual men, massive awareness
campaigns were undertaken to promote safe sex. Safe sex meant using
the old fashioned condom, a device that had been in rapid usage-decline
since the advent of the birth-control pill. Scientific tests on condoms
proved that, used correctly, they would prevent transfer of the HIV
virus.
HIV cases started coming to light in other areas of the world, but,
again, usually among the homosexual communities. Only the homosexual
community appeared to be
affected, and therefore, unless one also had such sexual preference,
it caused little concern. That was until, suddenly, females started
to test positive. Worse, they were not admitting to participating
in anal sex, but normal heterosexual love-making. Attitudes then had
to change. It meant that HIV could be passed between men and women
during sexual intercourse unless preventative measures were employed.
The situation became serious. HIV knew no national borders, and areas
such as Thailand, with a large sex trade, suddenly experienced a surge
in men and women who tested positive for HIV, and in the resulting
deaths caused by AIDS.
As more countries suffered the intrusion of this very unwelcome visitor,
the more the world became aware that it truly was an international
problem, requiring a great deal of resources if populations were not
to be decimated. As was later to be proven, especially in Africa,
HIV was a sexually transmitted disease. The most sexually active were
those in the same age range as those required to produce the wealth
of the country. They were in the age group from which every active
worker, be they teacher or factory hand, were drawn. A country’s
economic performance depended on its available labor. To allow the
decimation of these ranks by disease would cause untold suffering.
War against the disease was declared on two major fronts. The first
was in medical research, to learn more and to try to find both a vaccine
and a cure. Untold wealth was available for any establishment that
could produce either.
The second front was education and promotion of preventative measures,
which meant the condom. Fortunately, in virtually every country this
campaign was greatly assisted by the rapid formation of many Non-Government
Organizations (NGO's), who in turn were provided support by such bodies
as United Nations Organization, the World Health Organization and
the wealthier countries.
The first front, that of finding a vaccine and a cure, has experienced
very little success. There is still no vaccine available, although
there are expensive drug cocktails that will not cure, but will probably
extend the life expectancy of the HIV sufferer.
The Philippines was considered a high-risk area due to it being a
favorite destination for sex tourists, albeit not so popular as Thailand.
The author, a long-time resident in the Philippines, enthusiastically
joined the campaign in its very early stages.
A previous book, The Pope and AIDS, published in 1994,
was a costly contribution to this program. Costly because the major
bookstores perceived it to be anti-Catholic and refused to stock it.
When the book was published just over seven years ago, along with
many others, the author feared that unless there was more education
and awareness concerning the disease, the Philippines was doomed to
suffer a plague of proportions previously unknown in its history.
But, strangely, according to official figures obtained from the Department
of Health, it appears not to yet have happened. The rest of the world,
with few exceptions, had to increase their efforts against the advancing
tide of death caused by AIDS, yet officially, it seems to have bypassed
the Philippines. Why? Because if this is indeed true, then the rest
of the world should be studying just how the Philippines accomplished
it.
In the following chapters, references are made to what was written
then, as well as articles and letters published since. They set out
clearly the proof that the Philippines was then and is now a very
high-risk area, and how complacency is killing our children. In Zimbabwe,
one out of every four persons of working age is carrying the HIV virus
and has a certain death sentence. Thousands of children are now orphans.
Thousands more are doomed to join them. Could it be happening here?
That idea frightens you? As the facts will show in subsequent chapters,
the Philippines has all the ingredients necessary to encourage the
spread of the HIV virus. Lack of publicity and education on the subject;
the Catholic Church banning the use of condoms; a population increase
clearly proving that Filipinos indulge in unprotected sexual activity;
thousands of returning overseas workers and seamen; etc. Officialdom
claims that AIDS in the Philippines is not a problem. Why? If they
are correct, then we are all witness to almost a miracle. The author
presents the evidence – you be the judge. This book is a wake-up
call to the Philippines and its people.
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